It is one the most printed books in the history of the world, some sources claiming that over 6.5 billion printed volumes have been distributed and of these over a billion between its first release in 1966 and 1969. There have been potentially as many unofficial copies, reprints and knock-offs.
Its phenomenal distribution was primarily down to the fact that its author, Mao Tse Tung made it compulsory for every Chinese citizen to own, read and conduct their lives by it in the Cultural Revolution.
It was of course the Little Red Book, produced in pocket size in bright red cover as an inspirational political and military document.
It came to be an icon of Chinese Communism and a must have for the bookshelves of those in the West who had, to varying degrees, sympathy with the slogan "Workers of the world, Unite" and all that goes with that in terms of social justice.
The book was approved for export in 1966 albeit with some revisions and made its way to every corner of the globe.
So why, oh why have I been completely thwarted, twice to buy one?
It all seemed to be an easy process, thanks to the monster on-line shop that is E-Bay what with many authentic copies being advertised for sale at a reasonable price of around £8 sterling.
I had thought about it for some time as a birthday present for my wife, something a bit more tangible than the main present which had been four hours shivering in a beach hut overlooking the North Bay of Scarborough, Yorkshire, England.
My wife has a strong commitment to socialism and follows all of the debates in the home political arena being alternately outraged and encouraged by what goes on in Parliament and in the local council chamber.
Her greatest heroes, living and not, can be seen as a potted history of social and electoral struggles in British history from John Smith to Tony Benn, David Milliband to Jeremy Corbyn and many pioneers in between.
A Little Red Book, amongst a few for sale, appealed to me more than the others in that the seller disclosed that it had been a prized personal possession and was a reluctant listing. I liked this idea that perhaps he had absorbed the words of wisdom by Chairman Mao and now felt compelled to give it away, at a low price, for someone else to get the benefit.
The description was of a book in reasonable condition although used and with the sellers name written on the inside front cover. That in itself appeared to tell a story of initial enthusiasm, pride in ownership and perhaps a little bit of a youthful communist tendency. I may have been reading in between the lines, fabricating a back=story somewhat but nevertheless it warranted a good bid, quite a bit above the sole existing one and the reserve of £5.
I did have a quick look at what other sellers were asking for the same item, a vintage 1967 translation into English and the price range was pretty similar. The bidding was open for five days before I found an e mail in my inbox with the news of success. It is a strange and euphoric sensation to win an E Bay bid or am I just a bit shallow and superficial to feel this.
The seller made direct contact and I wrote out a cheque (not being savvy with PayPal) and enveloped it off. There was plenty of time until my wife's birthday, a month.
Unfortunately, down to a difference of opinion with my bank the cheque for £8 plus postage was declined but the seller was very sympathetic, no doubt a sign of a well seasoned E-Bay trader. I immediately re-issued a remittance along with an e mailed apology for the unexpected problem. Relations remained cordial and casual.
My embarrassment over bouncing a cheque, for that in reality was what it had been, meant that I was reluctant to chase the seller for a progress report on the Little Red Book and its journey.
Some three and a half weeks passed and I was getting a bit nervous as a package had not yet arrived. I sent a polite enquiry by e mail as to whether the new cheque had cleared. The seller was a bit puzzled in that he had sent the book on the basis of trust without waiting for the second cheque to clear and had been waiting for me to provide feedback on a smooth and fully satisfactory experience.
In the meantime it appears that I had made a bid for another copy of Mao's wise words and was being hounded by another seller for a contracted payment. I just do not recall this process but thought I might as well go for it if the first book had gone missing.
I was beginning to wonder if Mao had any thoughts on the pitfalls of the capitalist economy that could help me out in this situation.
My, by now, pen pal correspondent for the original transaction promised to investigate the disappearance of my order which he had tracked through the Post Office but quickly accepted defeat and cancelled the whole thing. He is to return my cheque.
As for the reserve purchase, I have still not seen anything by way of confirmation of payment or despatch. It is another mystery and a bit disappointing. I just hope that it is not all part of some scam or conspiracy using, ironically, the Little Red Book to rip off honest and hard working folk.
Luckily for me the Beach Hut deep freeze went down better than expected with my wife and so the failure of Chairman Mao to materialise has not been so bad after all.
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